Chapter 697

Lucas approached with two ice cream cones, handing one to each of them. "Take a break," he suggested.

Evelyn accepted hers and settled onto the bench. Natalie gestured excitedly toward a new dress on display, her eyes sparkling with approval. "Stunning choice," Lucas remarked immediately. "That emerald green complements your complexion perfectly. You should try it on."

Natalie nodded eagerly. Evelyn studied her brother's expression. "Did you catch that?"

Lucas merely arched an eyebrow. Evelyn couldn't suppress her grin. "You're acting suspiciously indifferent. I'm starting to think you orchestrated this whole thing-" Before she could finish, Lucas clamped a hand over her mouth, shooting her a warning glare. "Ruin my surprise and I'm canceling your black card privileges."

Evelyn's smirk widened. Just as she suspected - her brother would never stay passive. He'd clearly used today's shopping trip as an opportunity to advance his agenda. "Fishing with live bait, are we?" she teased. "Of course, of course. So the mastermind behind the scenes is actually you. Going all out for Natalie, I see."

Lucas scoffed. "Should I rely on you instead? You've been spending my money without producing results, yet you dare criticize?" As if Lucas would remain idle while Natalie might slip away to someone else. That would be unacceptable.

When Natalie emerged wearing the dress, Lucas launched into effusive praise. "Absolute perfection. You're breathtaking. So beautiful I forgot my own name-"

The nearby sales associate struggled to maintain a professional expression.

They returned home laden with purchases, sharing their flight with an unrecognizable celebrity. Lucas maneuvered to sit beside Natalie, leaving the masked stranger next to Evelyn. The man's face bore thick layers of makeup, his oversized sunglasses and dangling earrings completing the absurd disguise.

Evelyn focused on her magazine until remembering her headphones were in Lucas's bag. She turned right. "Hey-"

Before Lucas could respond, the stranger suddenly removed his mask with dramatic flair. "Fine, you've caught me," he sighed. "I knew you recognized me. What'll it be - photo or autograph?"

Evelyn stared blankly. She had no idea who he was. "You want both? Well, since you went through all this trouble-" He pulled out his phone for a selfie. Evelyn abruptly turned away, calling past him. "Lucas, pass me my headphones."

The celebrity froze, hastily replacing his mask. An awkward silence descended.

Evelyn recognized neither his heavily altered features nor his inflated ego. He paled in comparison to Julian Moreau's natural charm. Yet his confidence suggested he expected universal recognition.

Was this some attempt to ride her coattails to fame? The realization struck her instantly.

At the airport, both Sterling siblings used the VIP通道. Their luggage had been sent ahead, leaving them unencumbered. Surprisingly, the celebrity followed, casting frequent backward glances as if wanting to speak. Evelyn ignored him completely.

Natalie nudged her. "Do you know him?"

Evelyn shook her head honestly.